This is a selection from my forthcoming Gospel of John in the Everyday Bible Study guides with HarperChristian. Bless you for reading. Jesus as the First Sign John 2:1-11 2:1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
In my view the context of the wedding is less important than the person who is doing the asking - Mary. God entrusted Jesus to Mary completely from the very first instant (cell division in an embryo is governed by the mitochondria. 100% of the mitochondria come from the mother's egg). When Jesus' time had come and his ministry was to begin, God would not dismiss Mary and say 'I've got it from here.' No, it is about agency. He would go through Mary to say to Jesus that the time has finally come for him to publicly reveal who he is. Through this, the Father is saying to Jesus, 'your time indeed has come.' I have felt for decades that God would not violate Mary's agency, but ask that she release Jesus for ministry and then allow her to actually do it. Mary's prayer life is almost never spoken of, but I am certain it was robust and active.
John introduces Jesus' public ministry at a wedding because Jesus brings a Kingdom that is for a community and weddings are community events. Also, weddings are covenant events and Jesus brings each of God's covenants to its point of application (telos) with the bringing of the Kingdom and announces its coming symbolically at this covenant event. The symbolism of Israel's wedding/marriage to YHWH strengthens/undergirds these notions.
I am currently preparing to preach a sermon series on Jeremiah and I can’t help but think about how this wedding at Cana relates to—of all things—Jeremiah’s curses.
Here is how the Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook puts it (Kindle text only edition: location 5290):
"Jeremiah 1–29 contains numerous images of curses (wounds and sickness, no weddings or joy, etc.) that are reversed by Jesus Christ, as prophesied in Jeremiah 30–33. For example, as part of the judgment on Judah, Jeremiah proclaims the end of joyful celebrations, especially the joyful sound of weddings (16:8–9; 25:10). In the Book of Consolation (Jeremiah 30–33), however, God reverses the images of judgment as he describes the messianic future. The coming time of restoration will be one characterized by joyful singing and dancing, especially at weddings (30:19; 31:4, 7, 12, 13; 33:9–11).
The messianic fulfillment is illustrated in John 2, when Jesus changes the water into wine. Jesus is at a wedding, and when the wine runs out, the joyful celebration is about to cease. Yet according to the prophets like Jeremiah, the Messiah will bring a time of joyful celebration, figuratively represented by weddings. Jesus creates the new wine in order to keep the joyful celebration going. Jeremiah’s images (joyful weddings, healing, etc.) are primarily figurative. Jesus, however, fulfills them both in a literal sense (actual physical healing, creating literal wine) and in a figurative sense (spiritual restoration and salvation, true inner joy)."
Looking forward to reading more from your Everyday Bible Study guides.
Thanks, Scot! I immediately thought of Paul Tillich’s words on sign and symbol. What makes these “signs in John so interesting is that they encapsulate both sign and symbol by Tillich’s great words about them. This brings about discussions with important questions and discussions. Your question “Why a wedding?” And: What about the wedding is a sign? A symbol? What does it mean for us today? Again, Thank You for inspiring faith-driven thought!
To me, personally, Jesus become much real, personal, intimate and knowable w the miracles he has done in my life. I have no formal schooling on this, but I can tell when a pastor has only seminary training and no personal interaction by their preaching now. Signs or miracles prove He is who He says He is and will keep promises and can be trusted.
Love this. What better place to begin a new life with Jesus than a wedding? Promising fidelity and receiving his vow to never leave or forsake us. Entering into the journey with Jesus with joy and abundance. Let the new wine flow!
In my view the context of the wedding is less important than the person who is doing the asking - Mary. God entrusted Jesus to Mary completely from the very first instant (cell division in an embryo is governed by the mitochondria. 100% of the mitochondria come from the mother's egg). When Jesus' time had come and his ministry was to begin, God would not dismiss Mary and say 'I've got it from here.' No, it is about agency. He would go through Mary to say to Jesus that the time has finally come for him to publicly reveal who he is. Through this, the Father is saying to Jesus, 'your time indeed has come.' I have felt for decades that God would not violate Mary's agency, but ask that she release Jesus for ministry and then allow her to actually do it. Mary's prayer life is almost never spoken of, but I am certain it was robust and active.
Thank you for your profound insight. I had never seen Mary in that light in this story.
Tom - I really enjoyed reading your contribution. Clear and bold and beautiful description of the Mother-Son relationship that these two enjoyed.
John introduces Jesus' public ministry at a wedding because Jesus brings a Kingdom that is for a community and weddings are community events. Also, weddings are covenant events and Jesus brings each of God's covenants to its point of application (telos) with the bringing of the Kingdom and announces its coming symbolically at this covenant event. The symbolism of Israel's wedding/marriage to YHWH strengthens/undergirds these notions.
Great stuff!
I am currently preparing to preach a sermon series on Jeremiah and I can’t help but think about how this wedding at Cana relates to—of all things—Jeremiah’s curses.
Here is how the Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook puts it (Kindle text only edition: location 5290):
"Jeremiah 1–29 contains numerous images of curses (wounds and sickness, no weddings or joy, etc.) that are reversed by Jesus Christ, as prophesied in Jeremiah 30–33. For example, as part of the judgment on Judah, Jeremiah proclaims the end of joyful celebrations, especially the joyful sound of weddings (16:8–9; 25:10). In the Book of Consolation (Jeremiah 30–33), however, God reverses the images of judgment as he describes the messianic future. The coming time of restoration will be one characterized by joyful singing and dancing, especially at weddings (30:19; 31:4, 7, 12, 13; 33:9–11).
The messianic fulfillment is illustrated in John 2, when Jesus changes the water into wine. Jesus is at a wedding, and when the wine runs out, the joyful celebration is about to cease. Yet according to the prophets like Jeremiah, the Messiah will bring a time of joyful celebration, figuratively represented by weddings. Jesus creates the new wine in order to keep the joyful celebration going. Jeremiah’s images (joyful weddings, healing, etc.) are primarily figurative. Jesus, however, fulfills them both in a literal sense (actual physical healing, creating literal wine) and in a figurative sense (spiritual restoration and salvation, true inner joy)."
Looking forward to reading more from your Everyday Bible Study guides.
Thanks, Scot! I immediately thought of Paul Tillich’s words on sign and symbol. What makes these “signs in John so interesting is that they encapsulate both sign and symbol by Tillich’s great words about them. This brings about discussions with important questions and discussions. Your question “Why a wedding?” And: What about the wedding is a sign? A symbol? What does it mean for us today? Again, Thank You for inspiring faith-driven thought!
To me, personally, Jesus become much real, personal, intimate and knowable w the miracles he has done in my life. I have no formal schooling on this, but I can tell when a pastor has only seminary training and no personal interaction by their preaching now. Signs or miracles prove He is who He says He is and will keep promises and can be trusted.
Love this. What better place to begin a new life with Jesus than a wedding? Promising fidelity and receiving his vow to never leave or forsake us. Entering into the journey with Jesus with joy and abundance. Let the new wine flow!